Week 1: Person A: Alex ( On your group's wiki page, describe the main characters in your text. What makes them interesting? What is their story or background? Why are you drawn to them? Conversely, are there any characters that you just cannot stand? Why not?)
The two main characters are Caroline and Gail. They both have a lot in common. They are both recovering alcoholics. they both had a special bond between eachother. like they were sisters. Their story is that they were both lonely and when they met each other, there was a spark. they both knew instantly that they would be more than best friends, they would be sisters.
Person B/C: Olivia (3 quotes and 3 questions- questions should not only have one answer should be open ended questions)
"Stunning..a book of such crystalline truth that it makes the heart ache."
"If you haven't this honest and liberating memoir will help you find one."
"If you've ever had a soul mate, wheather human or canine, this book was written for you."
Why do you think the bond between Gail and Caroline was so significant?
Because they were so close and they had alot in commen.
Why do they both enjoy walking their dogs?
That was a time to escape talk about there feelings and just bond together.
How did the loss of Carloline make such an impact?
Because they were so close with each other.
Person D: Kalyn ( summary of the book club meeting)
During book club we talked about the quotes and normal questions. We thought about why the bond was so significant between them and what impact it had on gail when caroline died. For a while we discussed our opinions in the book. we all agreed it was very boring and hoped it would get better. one thing we didn't like was the fact that the book was very repetitive. For the first 20 pages of the book all we really found out was that they were bestfriends and like to walk their dogs. That they went to a cabin every year where they walked their dogs as bestfriends. The book isnt terrible just a little repetitive at the moment.
Week 2
Person A: Kalyn (On your group's wiki page, discuss the type of language that your book contains. Is it easy to read? Conversational? "Classic"? Does it use a lot of words you don't understand? What grade level do you think the book is written at, and why?)
The type of language in our book is conversational. Gail Caldwell wrote as if she were talking to us as friends. This book is basically a diary of her recollections about her best friend. It is her memoir. The vocabulary in this book isn't that hard there are a couple of words here and there that I don't understand but after reading them in context I understand them now. I think the age level the book is written at is 9th and 10th graders. I think this because to truly understand this book you have to grasp the idea of friendship and the bond that it has. You have to look beyond just their friend ship but how it impacted them and i think this understanding comes with age. And as you grow up you learn this.
Person B/C: Alex (3 quotes 3 questions) Qoutes
1. "So when Caroline told me, not long after we met, that she was in love with her dog, it didn't require any explanation."
2. "My closest friend in the house was Jackie, the dancer, who attired herself for a normal outing in faux leapord hats and pink elbow gloves."
3. " The meteorologists were used to being locked in by inclement weather for weeks at a time, and they had a full liquor reserve along with their gallons of tomatoe sauce and industrial-size spices." Questions
1. Why do you think you are disinterested in the book?
A. liv- because it repeats itself and its boring and dreadful to read
2. do you like Caroline or Gail better, or do you not like either and you like the dogs?
A. liv-I like the dogs better, they're not boring like caroline and gail.
3. Why do you think caroline and gail get along so well?
A. liv-because they are both recovered alcoholics who love to write and be with dogs.
Person D: Olivia (summary of the groups discussion)
Our groups discussion went well. Kalyn wasn't here so we our discussion was just with Me and Alex. We talked about the quotes and questions and the book. Our group isnt really that interested in the book so far but i think it will get better. Even though Gail Cadwells book isnt interesting i do think she is a good author. She won alot of prizes for her books in the past. Alex was acting weird during our discussion but i mean i guess thats normal. Overall this week went well.
Week 3:
Person A: Olivia
Our book group is going well this week. Our questions are good. We all agree it is still boring though. Our group does keep on task though. Me alex and kalyn don't really seem to enjoy the book it has no interesting points. We do however agree it is different its not like other books. It has a different plot.
Person B/C-Kayln
Do you think the book content got better or worse?
Worse much worse
Why do you think the author chose to write about her friendship?
Because gail was very close with her friend maybe even too close and this was a way for her to get closure possisible
Do you understand their friendship?
We kind of understand it but we don’t understand why they are so close and depend on each other so much.
“No husband, no children, no worries” (pg. 127)
Because I had the sense and pride not to drive drunk or appear blasted in public” (pg 143)
“ I know now that is was staggering toward the terrain of the other side of loss” (pg. 144)
Person D: Alex
Our group discussion was alright this week. There really isn’t much to talk about, the book repeats itself and is VERY boring. Kalyn brought cranberry juice, which was so grosssssss! We ended up throwing it out cause no one liked it. Olivia brought Fritos and granola bites, as did I. we’ve come to the conclusion, that Caroline and Gail are lesbian, with sick obsessions with their dogs. It’s a terrible book, and I would never recommend it for anyone. Unless of course, they ask for a book about lesbians, alcohol addictions, and dogs.
Week 4:
Person A-Alex
Lets take the long way home conveys the image of friendship.It portrays an image of people seeing beyond others faults. Caroline and Gail get along so well because they have so much in common. They bond by taking long walks with there dogs, and talking about their past memories and problems. I think the author is trying to say something like “don’t judge a book by its cover” except with people. If you give someone a chance you can end up with a great best friend.
B&C- Olivia
How do you like the book thus far?
alex-still dislike the book.
Do you like caroline and gails bond together?
kaylan-i think they have a alot in commen and thats why they get along.
Why do you think the author is obsessed with dogs?
alex-idk but she always is talking about them in every chapter.
"She was flusterd and alittle unnerved."
"There are as many shadings to our griefs as there are lost loves to grieve over."
"If you haven't this honest and liberating memoir will help you find one."
Person D-Kalyn
During our book club this week we discussed our questions and quotes. Again we talked about how we all don't like the book and wonder why this was even on a top editors list? We talked about their relationship and how we find it to be very weird.
Week 5:
Person A-Kayln
Would you recommend it to peers? I would not recommend this to any one of my friends i think it is very bad. I would though recommend this to loners to show them that every loner can make a friend and there are people out there like you. The topic in the book though, friendship, has been portrayed much better in other books then this one. This book should not be considered for school curriculum because if all of the groups different ages in high school reading this book don't like it it is obviously a bad book.
Person B/C-Alex
Quotes: 1) “The ravages of early grief are such a shock: wild, erratic, disconsolate.” Caldwell (168). 2) “We were attacked by pit bulls and Clemmie is hurt and lost in the woods” Caldwell (186) 3) “Caroline would be so proud of me-proud of us-because I kept her, too” Caldwell (193).
Questions: 1) Do you have a relationship with someone like Gail and Caroline’s? a. Olivia: no, I have a best friend and we’re really close but we’re not lesbian like. 2) Would you rather have a friendship like theirs or a normal friendship? Explain. a. Kayln: I would rather have a normal friendship because I’m not into having an EXTREMLEY close friendship. They are to close. 3) Do you think this book deserved to be award winning? a. NO. it’s a terrible book and not everyone can relate to it. It should be in the top list of the category it fits in.
Person D-Olivia
This week we we still all agree that the book is terrible. If i would have to recommend this book to someone it would have to be one of those creepy people that like weird stuff because no normal person would like this. Alex brought muffins only for herself of course. I don't know how the author got awards for this book because it doesn't seem like it would have a big fan base. My group is just happy to finally be done with this book.
Person A: Alex ( On your group's wiki page, describe the main characters in your text. What makes them interesting? What is their story or background? Why are you drawn to them? Conversely, are there any characters that you just cannot stand? Why not?)
The two main characters are Caroline and Gail. They both have a lot in common. They are both recovering alcoholics. they both had a special bond between eachother. like they were sisters. Their story is that they were both lonely and when they met each other, there was a spark. they both knew instantly that they would be more than best friends, they would be sisters.
Person B/C: Olivia (3 quotes and 3 questions- questions should not only have one answer should be open ended questions)
"Stunning..a book of such crystalline truth that it makes the heart ache."
"If you haven't this honest and liberating memoir will help you find one."
"If you've ever had a soul mate, wheather human or canine, this book was written for you."
Why do you think the bond between Gail and Caroline was so significant?
Because they were so close and they had alot in commen.
Why do they both enjoy walking their dogs?
That was a time to escape talk about there feelings and just bond together.
How did the loss of Carloline make such an impact?
Because they were so close with each other.
Person D: Kalyn ( summary of the book club meeting)
During book club we talked about the quotes and normal questions. We thought about why the bond was so significant between them and what impact it had on gail when caroline died. For a while we discussed our opinions in the book. we all agreed it was very boring and hoped it would get better. one thing we didn't like was the fact that the book was very repetitive. For the first 20 pages of the book all we really found out was that they were bestfriends and like to walk their dogs. That they went to a cabin every year where they walked their dogs as bestfriends. The book isnt terrible just a little repetitive at the moment.
Week 2
Person A: Kalyn (On your group's wiki page, discuss the type of language that your book contains. Is it easy to read? Conversational? "Classic"? Does it use a lot of words you don't understand? What grade level do you think the book is written at, and why?)
The type of language in our book is conversational. Gail Caldwell wrote as if she were talking to us as friends. This book is basically a diary of her recollections about her best friend. It is her memoir. The vocabulary in this book isn't that hard there are a couple of words here and there that I don't understand but after reading them in context I understand them now. I think the age level the book is written at is 9th and 10th graders. I think this because to truly understand this book you have to grasp the idea of friendship and the bond that it has. You have to look beyond just their friend ship but how it impacted them and i think this understanding comes with age. And as you grow up you learn this.
Person B/C: Alex (3 quotes 3 questions)
Qoutes
1. "So when Caroline told me, not long after we met, that she was in love with her dog, it didn't require any explanation."
2. "My closest friend in the house was Jackie, the dancer, who attired herself for a normal outing in faux leapord hats and pink elbow gloves."
3. " The meteorologists were used to being locked in by inclement weather for weeks at a time, and they had a full liquor reserve along with their gallons of tomatoe sauce and industrial-size spices."
Questions
1. Why do you think you are disinterested in the book?
A. liv- because it repeats itself and its boring and dreadful to read
2. do you like Caroline or Gail better, or do you not like either and you like the dogs?
A. liv-I like the dogs better, they're not boring like caroline and gail.
3. Why do you think caroline and gail get along so well?
A. liv-because they are both recovered alcoholics who love to write and be with dogs.
Person D: Olivia (summary of the groups discussion)
Our groups discussion went well. Kalyn wasn't here so we our discussion was just with Me and Alex. We talked about the quotes and questions and the book. Our group isnt really that interested in the book so far but i think it will get better. Even though Gail Cadwells book isnt interesting i do think she is a good author. She won alot of prizes for her books in the past. Alex was acting weird during our discussion but i mean i guess thats normal. Overall this week went well.
Week 3:
Person A: Olivia
Our book group is going well this week. Our questions are good. We all agree it is still boring though. Our group does keep on task though. Me alex and kalyn don't really seem to enjoy the book it has no interesting points. We do however agree it is different its not like other books. It has a different plot.
Person B/C-Kayln
Do you think the book content got better or worse?
Worse much worse
Why do you think the author chose to write about her friendship?
“No husband, no children, no worries” (pg. 127)
Because I had the sense and pride not to drive drunk or appear blasted in public” (pg 143)
“ I know now that is was staggering toward the terrain of the other side of loss” (pg. 144)
Person D: Alex
Our group discussion was alright this week. There really isn’t much to talk about, the book repeats itself and is VERY boring. Kalyn brought cranberry juice, which was so grosssssss! We ended up throwing it out cause no one liked it. Olivia brought Fritos and granola bites, as did I. we’ve come to the conclusion, that Caroline and Gail are lesbian, with sick obsessions with their dogs. It’s a terrible book, and I would never recommend it for anyone. Unless of course, they ask for a book about lesbians, alcohol addictions, and dogs.
Week 4:
Person A-Alex
Lets take the long way home conveys the image of friendship.It portrays an image of people seeing beyond others faults. Caroline and Gail get along so well because they have so much in common. They bond by taking long walks with there dogs, and talking about their past memories and problems. I think the author is trying to say something like “don’t judge a book by its cover” except with people. If you give someone a chance you can end up with a great best friend.
B&C- Olivia
How do you like the book thus far?
alex-still dislike the book.
Do you like caroline and gails bond together?
kaylan-i think they have a alot in commen and thats why they get along.
Why do you think the author is obsessed with dogs?
alex-idk but she always is talking about them in every chapter.
"She was flusterd and alittle unnerved."
"There are as many shadings to our griefs as there are lost loves to grieve over."
"If you haven't this honest and liberating memoir will help you find one."
Person D-Kalyn
During our book club this week we discussed our questions and quotes. Again we talked about how we all don't like the book and wonder why this was even on a top editors list? We talked about their relationship and how we find it to be very weird.
Week 5:
Person A-Kayln
Would you recommend it to peers? I would not recommend this to any one of my friends i think it is very bad. I would though recommend this to loners to show them that every loner can make a friend and there are people out there like you. The topic in the book though, friendship, has been portrayed much better in other books then this one. This book should not be considered for school curriculum because if all of the groups different ages in high school reading this book don't like it it is obviously a bad book.
Person B/C-Alex
Quotes:
1) “The ravages of early grief are such a shock: wild, erratic, disconsolate.” Caldwell (168).
2) “We were attacked by pit bulls and Clemmie is hurt and lost in the woods” Caldwell (186)
3) “Caroline would be so proud of me-proud of us-because I kept her, too” Caldwell (193).
Questions:
1) Do you have a relationship with someone like Gail and Caroline’s?
a. Olivia: no, I have a best friend and we’re really close but we’re not lesbian like.
2) Would you rather have a friendship like theirs or a normal friendship? Explain.
a. Kayln: I would rather have a normal friendship because I’m not into having an EXTREMLEY close friendship. They are to close.
3) Do you think this book deserved to be award winning?
a. NO. it’s a terrible book and not everyone can relate to it. It should be in the top list of the category it fits in.
Person D-Olivia
This week we we still all agree that the book is terrible. If i would have to recommend this book to someone it would have to be one of those creepy people that like weird stuff because no normal person would like this. Alex brought muffins only for herself of course. I don't know how the author got awards for this book because it doesn't seem like it would have a big fan base. My group is just happy to finally be done with this book.